Patient-Driven Affordable Healthcare

Smoking Cessation

No better time to discuss smoking cessation than when we are at the new year and resolutions are starting to fade while the freezing temperatures outside continue. I tell my patients that are contemplating smoking cessation that if successful they will be richer in more ways than one. The health benefits of smoking cessation are clear. The often overlooked benefits of smoking cessation are the return of significant time and money.

Health Benefits

decrease in bronchitis, COPD

decrease in blood pressure

decrease in heart rate

decrease in ALL cancers

decrease in diabetes

decrease in osteoporosis

decrease in rheumatoid arthritis

decrease in erectile dysfunction for men

decrease in ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, small birth weight in pregnancy

Non-Health Benefits

We never seem to have enough of either time or money and smoking cessation recaptures both.

Money

Time

Time=Money

The actual cost savings can be calculated here. The following depicts the savings realized when smoking 1 pack per day with a cost of $5.70 per pack:The amount of time spent smoking is estimated at 6 minutes and 20 seconds per cigarette. Calculations for smoking 1 pack per day equates to over 2 hours per day.

If you extrapolate the value of your time then your costs rise exponentially.

Smoking Cessation Aids

So you are ready but want some help. There are over-the-counter, prescription, and alternative options to help you be more successful.

Over-the-counter options:

Nicotine patches

Nicotine gum

Nicotine lozenges

Prescription options:

Nicotine inhalers

Nicotine nasal sprays

Bupropion is a common anti-depressant medication that was once marketed as Zyban. This medication can diminish the cravings and withdrawal symptoms from the nicotine.

Chantix is for smoking cessation only and can diminish the cravings and withdrawal while also blocking nicotine effects from smoking.

Alternative options:

E-cigarettes–long term safety has been unclear but recent studies identify significant concerns on safety and effectiveness

Hypnosis

Acupuncture

Support groups

No better time than the present to kick the habit as you will be richer in more ways than one!